Plantar bone fusion plate

ABSTRACT

A plantar bone plate and a method are provided for treating fractures of metatarsal bones. The plantar bone plate comprises a generally elongate member having an upper surface and a lower, bone contact surface. Two or more fixation apertures and a compression slot are disposed along a longitudinal dimension of the elongate member. The fixation apertures receive fasteners suitable for fastening the plantar bone plate to a metatarsal bone. The compression slot receives a fastener at an oblique angle for compressing adjacent portions of the metatarsal bone so as to encourage bone fusion. A curvature along the elongate member is configured to mate the plantar bone plate with the anatomy of the plantar aspect of the metatarsal bone. In one embodiment, the curvature is comprised of at least a first bend and a second bend, such that the plantar bone plate mates with the plantar anatomy of the 5 th  metatarsal.

PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication, entitled “Plantar Bone Fusion Plate,” filed on Jun. 2, 2016and having application Ser. No. 62/344,830.

FIELD

The field of the present disclosure generally relates to securing bonestogether. More particularly, the field of the present disclosure relatesto an apparatus and a method for fusing and compressing bones of thehuman body.

BACKGROUND

A fusion bone plate implant may be utilized in conjunction with one ormore fasteners so as to generate compression and stability at a boneinterface. An implant coupled with fasteners generally serves tostabilize bones, or bone parts, relative to one another so as to promotebone fusion. In many applications, bone plates and fasteners are used tofuse bones, or bone parts, of the human body, such as bones in the foot,the ankle, the hand, the wrist, as well as various other portions of thebody. Furthermore, during the course of certain medical procedures, asurgeon may immobilize one or more bones or the bone fragments bystabilizing the bones together in a configuration which approximates thenatural anatomy. To this end, the surgeon may use fasteners to attachthe bones to a bone plate implant so as to hold the bones in alignmentwith one another while they fuse together.

SUMMARY

A plantar bone plate and a method are provided for treating fractures ofmetatarsal bones. The plantar bone plate comprises a generally elongatemember having an upper surface and a lower, bone contact surface. Two ormore fixation apertures and a compression slot are disposed along alongitudinal dimension of the elongate member. The two or more fixationapertures are configured to receive fasteners suitable for fastening theplantar bone plate to a metatarsal bone. The compression slot isconfigured to receive a fastener at an oblique angle for compressingadjacent portions of the metatarsal bone so as to encourage bone fusion.A curvature along the elongate member is configured to mate the plantarbone plate with the anatomy of the plantar aspect of the metatarsalbone. In one embodiment, the curvature is comprised of at least a firstbend and a second bend such that the plantar bone plate mates with theplantar anatomy of the 5^(th) metatarsal. In some embodiments, thecurvature is comprised of a combination of one or more curves along thelongitudinal dimension and a lateral dimension of the plantar boneplate.

In an exemplary embodiment, a plantar bone plate for treating fracturesof a metatarsal bone comprises a generally elongate member having anupper surface and a lower, bone contact surface; two or more fixationapertures disposed along a longitudinal dimension of the elongate memberand configured to receive fasteners suitable for fastening the plantarbone plate to the metatarsal bone; a compression slot configured toreceive a fastener perpendicular to the upper surface or at an obliqueangle for compressing adjacent portions of the metatarsal bone so as toencourage bone fusion; and a curvature along the elongate memberconfigured to mate with the anatomy of the plantar aspect of themetatarsal bone.

In another exemplary embodiment, the plantar bone plate is comprised ofa material possessing a tensile strength suitable for immobilizingadjacent bone portions of the metatarsal bone. In another exemplaryembodiment, the two or more fixation apertures are configured to receivebone screws. In another exemplary embodiment, the two or more fixationapertures comprises at least four fixation apertures. In anotherexemplary embodiment, the two or more fixation apertures each iscomprised of a countersunk surface disposed below the upper surface andconfigured to allow a countersunk head of a fastener to assume a levelthat is above, flush with, or disposed below the upper surface when thefastener is tightened to hold the plantar bone plate against themetatarsal bone. In another exemplary embodiment, the countersunksurface comprises a chamfer angle of that ranges between substantially60° and 120°. In another exemplary embodiment, the countersunk surfaceis configured to provide a locking feature that prevents the fastenerfrom backing out after being implanted into a bone.

In another exemplary embodiment, the curvature is comprised of a firstbend and a second bend along the longitudinal dimension of the plantarbone plate. In another exemplary embodiment, the first bend is comprisedof a slightly curved portion that is concaved toward the upper surfaceand extends from substantially a middle portion of the plantar boneplate to a beginning of the second bend. In another exemplaryembodiment, the second bend is comprised of a curved portion that isconcaved away from the upper surface and extends from the first bend toa proximal end of the plantar bone plate. In another exemplaryembodiment, a flat portion of the plantar bone plate extends from thefirst bend to a distal end of the plantar bone plate. In anotherexemplary embodiment, the first bend and the second bend comprise atangent reverse curve. In another exemplary embodiment, the second bendcomprises a smaller radius than a radius of the first bend. In anotherexemplary embodiment, the first bend and the second bend are configuredso as to mate the plantar bone plate with the plantar anatomy of themetatarsal bone. In another exemplary embodiment, the first bend and thesecond bend are configured such that the curvature of the plantar boneplate mates with the plantar anatomy of the 5^(th) metatarsal.

In another exemplary embodiment, the curvature is comprised of one ormore curves along a lateral dimension that is substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the plantar bone plate.In another exemplary embodiment, the curvature is comprised of acombination of one or more curves along the longitudinal dimension and alateral dimension of the elongate member. In another exemplaryembodiment, the curvature is configured to mate the plantar bone platewith a specific anatomy of a bone to be treated.

In an exemplary embodiment, a method for a plantar bone plate fortreating fractures of a metatarsal bone comprises providing a generallyelongate member having an upper surface and a lower surface; disposingtwo or more fixation apertures along a longitudinal dimension of theelongate member; configuring the two or more fixation apertures toreceive fasteners suitable for fastening the plantar bone plate to themetatarsal bone; forming a compression slot to receive a fastenerperpendicular to the upper surface or at an oblique angle suitable forcompressing adjacent portions of the metatarsal bone so as to encouragebone fusion; and applying a curvature along the elongate member suchthat the plantar bone plate mates with the anatomy of the plantar aspectof the metatarsal bone. In another exemplary embodiment, applying thecurvature comprises forming at least a first bend and a second bendalong the elongate member such that the plantar bone plate mates withthe plantar anatomy of the 5^(th) metatarsal. In another exemplaryembodiment, applying the curvature comprises forming a combination ofone or more curves along the longitudinal dimension and a lateraldimension of the plantar bone plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings refer to embodiments of the present disclosure in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an upper isometric view of an exemplary embodiment ofa plantar bone plate for treating fractures of a metatarsal bone;

FIG. 2 illustrates a lower isometric view of the exemplary embodiment ofthe plantar bone plate illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a top plan view of the upper surface of the plantarbone plate illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side profile view of a longitudinally-directedcurvature of the plantar bone plate illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary use environment wherein the plantar boneplate of FIG. 1 is fastened onto a plantar aspect of a 5^(th) metatarsalbone across a fracture site;

FIG. 6 illustrates a plan view of an exemplary use environment whereinthe plantar bone plate of FIG. 1 has been implanted into a patientthrough a plantar lateral incision and fastened onto the 5^(th)metatarsal bone by way of two fasteners to treat a fracture; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a profile view of the exemplary use environment shownin FIG. 6.

While the present disclosure is subject to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by wayof example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. Theinvention should be understood to not be limited to the particular formsdisclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover allmodifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spiritand scope of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. Itwill be apparent, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art that theinvention disclosed herein may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, specific numeric references such as “firstscrew,” may be made. However, the specific numeric reference should notbe interpreted as a literal sequential order but rather interpreted thatthe “first screw” is different than a “second screw.” Thus, the specificdetails set forth are merely exemplary. The specific details may bevaried from and still be contemplated to be within the spirit and scopeof the present disclosure. The term “coupled” is defined as meaningconnected either directly to the component or indirectly to thecomponent through another component. Further, as used herein, the terms“about,” “approximately,” or “substantially” for any numerical values orranges indicate a suitable dimensional tolerance that allows the part orcollection of components to function for its intended purpose asdescribed herein.

In general, the present disclosure describes an apparatus and a methodfor a plantar bone plate for treating Jones fractures, Pseudo Jonesfractures, and Avulsion fractures of the metatarsal bones. The plantarbone plate comprises a generally elongate member having an upper surfaceand a lower, bone contact surface. Two or more fixation apertures aredisposed along a longitudinal dimension of the elongate member. Thefixation apertures are configured to receive fasteners suitable forfastening the plantar bone plate to the a metatarsal bone. Each of thefixation apertures comprises a countersunk surface disposed below theupper surface of the plantar bone plate. The countersunk surface isconfigured to allow a countersunk head of the fastener to assume a levelthat is flush with, or disposed below, the upper surface when thefastener is tightened to hold the plantar bone plate against themetatarsal bone. A compression slot is configured to receive a fastenerthat is oriented at an oblique angle for compressing adjacent portionsof the metatarsal bone so as to encourage bone fusion. A curvature alongthe elongate member is configured to match the anatomy of the plantaraspect of the metatarsal bone to be fused. In one embodiment, thecurvature is comprised of at least a first bend and a second bend thatare configured to mate the plant bone fusion plate with the anatomy ofthe plantar aspect of the 5^(th) metatarsal bone.

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a plantar bone plate 100configured to treat Jones fractures, Pseudo Jones fractures, andAvulsion fractures of a 5^(th) metatarsal 102. Although the plantar boneplate 100 is shown in FIG. 5 to be fusing the 5^(th) metatarsal, itshould be understood that the plantar bone plate may be adapted fortreating fractures of any of the metatarsal bones, without limitation.The plantar bone plate 100 comprises a generally elongate member havingan upper surface 104 and a lower, bone contact surface 108. Disposedalong the plantar bone plate 100 are two or more fixation apertures 112suitable for receiving fasteners 116, such as bone screws as shown inFIGS. 6-7. Preferably, the plantar bone plate 100 includes 4-5 fixationapertures 112, although in other embodiments the plantar bone plate mayinclude less than 4 or more than 5 fixation apertures 112. The plantarbone plate 100 preferably is comprised of a semi-rigid material, such asa biocompatible metal or PEEK, possessing a tensile strength suitablefor immobilizing adjacent bone portions of the 5^(th) metatarsal 102.

The fixation apertures 112 are configured to each receive a fastener116, such as a bone screw that may be utilized to fasten the plantarbone plate 100 onto the 5^(th) metatarsal 102, as disclosed above andshown in FIGS. 5-7. Each fixation aperture 112 comprises a countersunksurface 120 disposed within the fixation aperture and below the uppersurface 104 of the bone plate. As will be appreciated, the countersunksurface 120 allows a countersunk head of the fastener 116 to assume alevel that is either above, flush with, or disposed below the uppersurface 104 when the fastener is tightened to hold the plantar boneplate 100 against the bone. It is envisioned that the countersunksurfaces 120 may be implemented with any of various suitable chamferangles, including, but not limited to, 60°, 82°, 90°, 100°, 110°, or120°. In some embodiments, however, the chamfer angle of the countersunksurfaces 120 preferably is either 82° or 90°. Further, it iscontemplated that the countersunk surfaces 120 comprise a lockingfeature that operates to prevent the fasteners 116 from backing out ofthe bone after having been implanted in a patient.

The plantar bone plate 100 preferably comprises at least one compressionslot 124 configured to receive a fastener 116. Similar to the fixationapertures 112, the compression slot 124 may receive the fastener 116 atan angle of substantially 90° with respect to the plane of the plantarbone plate 100. Unlike the fixation apertures, however, the compressionslot 124 may alternatively receive the fastener 116 at an oblique anglewith respect to the plane of the plantar bone plate 100. The obliqueangle of the fastener 116 facilitates compressing adjacent bone portionstogether so as to encourage bone fusion. The fastener 116 may be anycomponent of hardware having a head configured to abut the surface ofplantar bone plate 100 and a shaft configured to secure bone portionstogether in a fixed configuration. In some embodiments, the fastener 116may comprise a lag screw which includes a head that is rounded, ortapered, and coupled to a shaft, or a shank, that has an unthreadedportion adjacent to the head and a threaded portion that ends at a tip.

As best illustrated in FIG. 4, a longitudinal dimension of the plantarbone plate 100 is comprised of a first bend 128 and a second bend 132.The first bend 128 is comprised of a smooth, slightly curved portionthat is concaved toward the upper surface 104 and extending fromsubstantially a middle portion of the plantar bone plate 100 to abeginning of the second bend 132. The second bend 132 is comprised of acurved portion concaved away from the upper surface 104 and extendingfrom the first bend 128 to a proximal end 136 of the plantar bone plate100. A relatively flat portion of the plantar bone plate 100 extendsfrom the first bend 128 to a distal end 140 of the bone plate. In someembodiments, however, one or more curved portions may be incorporatedinto the portion of the plantar bone plate 100 between the first bend128 and the distal end 140.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first bend 128 and the second bend 132 comprisea tangent reverse curve, wherein the second bend 132 comprises arelatively smaller radius than a radius of the first bend 128. As willbe appreciated, the radius and concavity of the first bend 128, and theradius and concavity of the second bend 132 are selected such that thecurvature of the plantar bone plate 100 substantially matches, or mateswith, the plantar anatomy of the 5^(th) metatarsal 102, as shown in FIG.5. It is contemplated, however, that the radii and concavities of thefirst and second bends 128, 132 may be varied from those illustrated anddisclosed herein, without limitation, so as to mate the plantar boneplate 100 to the anatomy of any of the metatarsal bones, as needed.

Moreover, it should be recognized that the plantar bone plate 100 is notto be limited to bends along the longitudinal dimension, but rather theplantar bone plate 100 may comprise a curvature along a lateraldimension of the plantar bone plate 100 that is substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal dimension, as well as a combination ofcurvatures along the longitudinal and lateral dimensions of the plantarbone plate. In some embodiments, the curvature may change along thelongitudinal and lateral dimensions as a function of distance from amiddle, or other reference location, of the plantar bone plate 100. Insome embodiments, the curvatures along the longitudinal and lateraldimensions may be selected to match a specific anatomy of a bone to betreated other than the metatarsals. Accordingly, it should be understoodthat the plantar bone plate 100 may be implemented with any combinationof topological features without deviating from the spirit and scope ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary use environment 144 wherein the plantarbone plate 100 is fastened onto the plantar aspect of the 5^(th)metatarsal 102 across a bone fracture 148. It is contemplated that inpractice, the plantar bone plate 100 may be implanted into the patientthrough a plantar lateral incision. For example, in an exemplaryenvironment 152 illustrated in FIGS. 6-7, the plantar bone plate 100 hasbeen implanted into a patient through a plantar lateral incision andfastened onto the 5^(th) metatarsal 102 by way of two fasteners 116 totreat a fracture 148. As will be appreciated, with the plantar boneplate 100 fastened to the plantar aspect of the 5^(th) metatarsal, theplantar bone plate is predominantly placed in tension under normal gaitcycle loading, thereby naturally maintaining compression at the bonefracture 148. As such, it should be recognized that implanting theplantar bone plate 100 onto the plantar aspect of the 5^(th) metatarsalis mechanically superior to placing the bone plate on a dorsal aspect ofthe bone. Further, it should be understood that the plantar bone plate100 is not to be limited to treating fractures of the 5^(th) metatarsal102. Rather, it is contemplated that the plantar bone plate 100 may beadapted for treating various types of fractures to any of the metatarsalbones, as well as other bones of the human body, as needed.

It is envisioned that the embodiments discussed herein may be coupledwith various surgical instruments that are configured for implanting theplantar bone plate 100 and fasteners 116 into patients. In someembodiments, the surgical instruments may include, without limitation,plate trials, wires, drills, drill guides, depth gages, cup and conereamers, screw drivers, plate benders, and the like. It is furtherenvisioned that the plantar bone plate 100, accompanying fasteners 116,and the selected surgical instruments are to be suitably sterilized forsurgeries and packaged into sterilized containers. In some embodiments,the plantar bone plate 100 may be packaged into a first sterilecontainer, the fasteners 116 may be packaged into a second sterilecontainer, and the instruments may be packaged into a third sterilecontainer. The first, second, and third sterile containers may then bebundled together into a single, exterior container, thereby forming aconvenient surgery-specific bone fusion implant package. It isenvisioned that other packaging techniques will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art without deviating from the spirit and scope of thepresent disclosure.

While the invention has been described in terms of particular variationsand illustrative figures, those of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that the invention is not limited to the variations or figuresdescribed. In addition, where methods and steps described above indicatecertain events occurring in certain order, those of ordinary skill inthe art will recognize that the ordering of certain steps may bemodified and that such modifications are in accordance with thevariations of the invention. Additionally, certain of the steps may beperformed concurrently in a parallel process when possible, as well asperformed sequentially as described above. To the extent there arevariations of the invention, which are within the spirit of thedisclosure or equivalent to the inventions found in the claims, it isthe intent that this patent will cover those variations as well.Therefore, the present disclosure is to be understood as not limited bythe specific embodiments described herein, but only by scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A plantar bone plate for treating fractures of ametatarsal bone, comprising: a generally elongate member having an uppersurface and a lower, bone contact surface; two or more fixationapertures disposed along a longitudinal dimension of the elongate memberand configured to receive fasteners suitable for fastening the plantarbone plate to the metatarsal bone; a compression slot configured toreceive a fastener perpendicular to the upper surface or at an obliqueangle for compressing adjacent portions of the metatarsal bone so as toencourage bone fusion; and a curvature along the elongate memberconfigured to mate with the anatomy of the plantar aspect of themetatarsal bone.
 2. The bone plate of claim 1, wherein the plantar boneplate is comprised of a material possessing a tensile strength suitablefor immobilizing adjacent bone portions of the metatarsal bone.
 3. Thebone plate of claim 1, wherein the two or more fixation apertures areconfigured to receive bone screws.
 4. The bone plate of claim 1, whereinthe two or more fixation apertures comprises at least four fixationapertures.
 5. The bone plate of claim 1, wherein the two or morefixation apertures each is comprised of a countersunk surface disposedbelow the upper surface and configured to allow a countersunk head of afastener to assume a level that is above, flush with, or disposed belowthe upper surface when the fastener is tightened to hold the plantarbone plate against the metatarsal bone.
 6. The bone plate of claim 5,wherein the countersunk surface comprises a chamfer angle that rangesbetween substantially 60° and 120°.
 7. The bone plate of claim 6,wherein the countersunk surface is configured to provide a lockingfeature that prevents the fastener from backing out after beingimplanted into a bone.
 8. The bone plate of claim 1, wherein thecurvature is comprised of a first bend and a second bend along thelongitudinal dimension of the plantar bone plate.
 9. The bone plate ofclaim 8, wherein the first bend is comprised of a slightly curvedportion that is concaved toward the upper surface and extends fromsubstantially a middle portion of the plantar bone plate to a beginningof the second bend.
 10. The bone plate of claim 8, wherein the secondbend is comprised of a curved portion that is concaved away from theupper surface and extends from the first bend to a proximal end of theplantar bone plate.
 11. The bone plate of claim 8, wherein a flatportion of the plantar bone plate extends from the first bend to adistal end of the plantar bone plate.
 12. The bone plate of claim 8,wherein the first bend and the second bend comprise a tangent reversecurve.
 13. The bone plate of claim 8, wherein the second bend comprisesa smaller radius than a radius of the first bend.
 14. The bone plate ofclaim 8, wherein the first bend and the second bend are configured so asto mate the plantar bone plate with the plantar anatomy of themetatarsal bone.
 15. The bone plate of claim 14, wherein the first bendand the second bend are configured such that the curvature of theplantar bone plate mates with the plantar anatomy of the 5^(th)metatarsal.
 16. The bone plate of claim 1, wherein the curvature iscomprised of one or more curves along a lateral dimension of the plantarbone plate that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinaldimension.
 17. The bone plate of claim 1, wherein the curvature iscomprised of a combination of one or more curves along the longitudinaldimension and a lateral dimension of the elongate member.
 18. The boneplate of claim 1, wherein the curvature is configured to mate theplantar bone plate with a specific anatomy of a bone to be treated. 19.A method for a plantar bone plate for treating fractures of a metatarsalbone, comprising: providing a generally elongate member having an uppersurface and a lower surface; disposing two or more fixation aperturesalong a longitudinal dimension of the elongate member; configuring thetwo or more fixation apertures to receive fasteners suitable forfastening the plantar bone plate to the metatarsal bone; forming acompression slot to receive a fastener perpendicular to the uppersurface or at an oblique angle suitable for compressing adjacentportions of the metatarsal bone so as to encourage bone fusion; andapplying a curvature along the elongate member such that the plantarbone plate mates with the anatomy of the plantar aspect of themetatarsal bone.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein applying thecurvature comprises forming at least a first bend and a second bendalong the elongate member such that the plantar bone plate mates withthe plantar anatomy of the 5^(th) metatarsal.
 21. The method of claim20, wherein applying the curvature comprises forming a combination ofone or more curves along the longitudinal dimension and a lateraldimension of the plantar bone plate.